Vanner.



R. H. RICHARDS.

VANNER. APPucATmN man FEB..19ss.

PaLentedSept. 5, 1916.

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R. H. RICHARDS.

VANNER.

APPLICATIUN FILED FEB. 9, 1915.

PatentedSept. 5, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z ROBERT I-I. RICHARDS, 0F JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS.

VANNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed February 9, 1915. Serial No. 7,030.

To all wlw/1n it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamaica Plain, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vanneis, of which the following is a specification.

This vinvention relates to machines for concentrating mineral ores and particularly to machines of the traveling belt type generally known as 'vanners In order that the novel features of my invention may be understood I shall briefly outline the present practice in vthis art and the changes which I propose to introduce. The vanners of the prior art generally consist of a longitudinally inclined upwardly Amoving belt with or without transverse ribs or corrugations on the surface. This belt is vgiven sometimes a transverse and sometimes a longitudinal horizontal reciprocation with an amplitude of one half inch up to two inches, and a frequency ranging from 120 to 250, and commonly about 200 double vibrations per minute. The frequency and amplitude stated are varied somewhat, in different machines but in current practice the amplitude is seldom if ever less, and the frequency seldom if ever vgreater than the limiting values given. Material to be treated is fed nea-'r the upper end of the belt, together with asuitable quantity of water and the concentration of the materia-l results from the facts that the ga'ngue or waste material called tailing is carrieddown the belt and off over the lower end by the water, while the con.

- centrate owing to the vibration settles into contact with the belt and is carried thereby to the upper limit of its travel where it is discharged. The shake is generally iinparted to the belt -by axially vibrating the foot roll or by vibrating a frame carrying the entire belt and guide roll mechanism. The use of corrugations on the belt greatly increases the capacity ofthe machines of the prior art.

I have `discovered by using a much higher frequency say from about 750 to 800 double vibrations per minute and reducing the amplitude to g inch or thereabout, I can so greatly enhance the action of machines of this class as to permit greatly shortening the belt. I also find that the smooth belt with the new frequency and amplitude of vibration has as great capacity as the corrugated belt of the older type and greater elficiency than either corrugated or smooth belt of the old type. Such high frequencies and small amplitude are however impracticable in machines of Conventional form and in order successfully to avail myself of the principle, I have found it necessary to evolve a new type of machine. In my machine none of the belt rolls are vibrated, but the belt between .the head `and foot rolls is guided and supported by a laterally vibrating table. As this table has an amplitude of vibration of only to of an inch, more or less, no undue wear or friction results, and as the table is comparatively light there is no difficulty in using the desired high frequency. The vibration is caused by an unbalanced rotating weight or weights mounted on the table and frequency and amplitude may be adjusted by changing the speed of rotation, and the mass or eccentricity of the weights. Thus the vibrating mechanism is directly mounted on the vibrating part and involves no needless friction or extraneous vibration. k

@ne practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which y ,i y

Figure l is a plan view of the device, a portion of the belt being broken away to show 4the vibrating guide frame; Fig. 2 is a side 'elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking to the left and showing the vibrating frame with its guide rollers and supporting frame, the vibrator mechanism and vanner belt. Other parts are omitted to avoid confusion. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section `on the same plane of section as Fig. 3, but looking tothe right; and Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively transverse and longitudinal sections of the corrugated belt.

As the means for feeding ore, receiving the tailing and concentrate, etc., are familiar in the art they are only indicated in diagram. l

The entire mechanism is carried` on a timber or other basev frame 1l which ordinarily is horizontal, but which maybe set ata suitable slight inclination if the conditions require any special slope for the belt. It is not ordinarily necessary to provide for adjustment of the belt slope and I therefore show none other than what may be made by the setting of the machine on its foundation. The provision of such adjustment is obviously a matter' of mechanical skill.

At opposite ends of the base frame 11 are the bearing frames 12 and 13. The frames 13 carry bearing blocks 14 for the foot roll 15, the bearing blocks 14 being individually adjustable in a horizontal direction, by means of hand wheels 16 on the threaded rods 17 which are threaded in the Lblocks and swiveled in the lugs 18. The frames 12 carry fixed bearings 19 for the head roll 20 and fixed bearings 21 for a dipping roll 22. The frames 12 also carry horizontally adjustable bearing blocks 23 for guiding roll 24, the blocks 23 being individually adjustable by turning the threaded rods 25. The individual adjustments of the bearings of the rolls 15 and 24 are provided to permit adjustment of the belt tension and adjustment of the rolls to cause the belt to run true.

The main drive shaft 26 of the machine is mounted in bearings 27 and 28, supported on the frames 11 and 12 respectively. It is driven by a pulley 29 through which power is applied to the machine. The shaft 26 carries a friction roller 30 which is splined thereon and is axially shiftable to -vary its radius of contact with a spring held friction disk 31 on shaft 32, by any usual shifting means (not shown). The roller 30 and disk 31 are illustrated as a typical progressive change speed device. The shaft 32 runs in bearings 33 and drives the head roll 2O through the double worm reducing gear 34, 35, 36, 37. The ratios are preferably such that a speed of 250 R. P. M. of shaft 26 drives the vanner belt 3S at a speed varying from 30 to 60 inches per minute according to the adjustment of roller 30.

The belt 38 runs on the rolls 15, 20, 22 and 24 and as most clearly seen in Figs. 5 and 6 has upstanding side fianges 39 to prevent material from flowing over its edges. Its upper surface may be transversely corrugated as indicated at 40 in Figs. 5 and 6. As stated however I find a smooth belt usually equally satisfactory and contemplate the use of a smooth belt in most cases and such a belt is indicated in the remaining figures of the drawings.

The upper run of the belt 38 between the head roll 20 and the foot roll 15 is supported on a vibrating frame comprising side sills 41 and cross members 42. This frame is supported on spring struts 43 of steel plate so as to vibrate freely with small amplitude in a direction transverse to the belt without any vibration in the longitudinal direction. The frame 41, 42 carries transverse supporting rollers 44 on which the belt rests and side confining rollers 45 by which the belt is constrained to vibrate with the frame. The two series of rollers 45 are mounted on transversely adjustable strips 46 held by bolts 47 and may thus be set to confine the belt closely. The frame 41, 42 is preferably constructed with a steeper inclination between the points a and Z) than between the points and c. The preferred slopes are respectively about and inch to the foot, but these may be varied. The feed of ore to be treated is made adjacent the point l) at which the change of slope occurs.

The vibration of the frame 41, 42 is caused by the rotation of unbalanced or eccentric weights 48 which are fixed on the shaft 49. This shaft turns in bearings 50 bolted to the frame 41, 42 and is driven by a pulley 51 belted to a pulley 52 on a counter-shaft 53. The countershaft 53 is driven from main shaft 26 by the cone pulleys 54 and shiftable belt 55 forming a simple change speed device. T he belt shifter is omitted in the drawings, but any usual form of shifter would be used. The drive ratio at the mean adjustment of the belt is about 3 to 1 in the machine illustrated so that the mean speed of shaft 49'is 750 R. P. M. more or less. frequency of vibration is changed by shifting belt 55 and the amplitude is varied by substituting weights 48 of different mass or eccentricity or both. The pulleys 51 and 52 are far enough apart to avoid any disturbance of belt tension between them, and the belt pull is a direct thrust on the spring struts 43.

v iVash water is supplied by the spray trough and jets indicated generally at 56. Ore is fed by the usual feeding means indicated at 57. This may take various forms butis here indicated as a box extending transversely of the belt and having a plurality ofv parallel slots 58 `in its bottom and extending in the general direction of travel of the belt 38. The tailing is collected by a launder 59 and the concentrate by a dipping tank 60. The concentrate is sprayed off and the return run of the belt cleansed by means of spray pipes 61 and 62.

In the operation of the device power is applied by means of a belt running on the pulley 29, and the friction wheel 30 is so adjusted that the belt 38 moves upward on the inclined` vibrating frame at the desired speed. The belt 55 is so adjusted that the shaft 49 has proper rotative speed, say about 7 50 R. P. M. The eccentric weights are of such mass and eccentricity that the vibrating frame has an amplitude of about lg of an inch. These dimensions may be departed from but it is a characteristic of my invention that the amplitude of vibration is relatively small and in fact it must be so for the best treatment of the ore. The ore to be treated is fed through the box 57 and flows onto the slowly moving belt through the slots 58. It is thus deposited upon the belt in a series of parallel streams which gradually The merge7 under the influence of the belt vibrations. Due to the high frequency and small amplitude of vibration the hea-Vy particles early settle into Contact with the belt and move up 'ard therewith in opposition to the ldownward flow of water fed with the ore and from the spray jets 56. The concentrate is thusl carried upward over the roll 2O and then down to the dipping tank G0 where it is washed oli' by water in the tank and by jets directed against the belt by the spray pipes G1 and G2. The gangue or lighter material is carried down the belt by the water and discharged over the foot roll l5 into a launder 59.

Tests have shown that the ellect of the high frequency small amplitude vibrations in causing settling of the heavy particles is so marked that these settle into peculiarly 'itimate contact with the belt, so that the belt has an unusually certain action upon them in carrying these particles upward against the oppositely flowing water. Se pronounced is this actionthat l find it possible to bring the capacity of a smooth belt up to that of the transversely corrugated one, which has the usual frequency and amplitude. The tests so far made have shown the best recovery of value with an amplitude of approximately g of an inch and a frequency: of vibration of approximately 750 double vibrations per minute. lt is conceivable however that variations in amplitude will require changes in frequency, and l. do not therefore limit myself to the frequency and. amplitude stated, the inventive idea being broader than this and residing first in the use of a relatively high frequency, with a small amplitude and in a more limited sense in details of the mechanism which I have devised to make this frequency and amplitude for the first time commercially practicable.

l make use of a transversely vibrating supporting frame for the belt mounted between fixed head and foot rolls and this construction so reduces the mass to be vibra-ted as to make high frequency practicable. By mounting the eccentric rotating weight structure directly upon the vibrating frame; l secure the neutralizing effect of two masses vibrating in opposition; so that no needless vibration is imparted to other portions of the machine7 thus avoiding needless consumption of energy and reducing the weigl'it of the parts. The effect of rotating the unbalanced or eccentric weight is substantially the same as that secured by vibrating the weight back and forth in the same path; and l consequently regard this rotating unbalanced weight as typical of a vibrating weight so far as the functions of this inachine are concerned.

The .f'anning belt may be constructed of any suitable material, but l prefer a rubber vantage is particularly marked when a smooth belt is used.

ln certain of the claims l use the term working portion77 to define that part of the belt on. which the concentrating action takes place.

Having thu-s described my invention, what l claim is l. ln a vanner; the combination of a vanning belt; stationarily supported rotatable rolls for supporting' and driving said belt; a loi tudinally inclined frame beneath the working portion of said belt and supporting the same; means carried by said frame for laterally confining said belt; a supporting and guiding structure for said frame adapted to restrict it to substantially horizontal vibrations transverse to the vanner belt; means for vibratingsaid frame; and means for feeding ore to said belt near the upper end of the iorking portion thereof.

2. ln a vanner; the combination of a vanning belt; rolls for supporting and driving said belt; an inclined frame beneath the working portion of said belt and supporting ne same; means carried by said frame for laterally confining said belt thereon; a plurality of laterally resilient supports for said frame adapted to guide it in substantially horizontal vibrations transverse to the belt; a weight movably mounted on said frame; and means for rapidly vibrating said weight relatively to said frame.

ln a vanner, the combination of a vanning belt; rolls for supporting and driving said belt; an inclined frame beneath the werking portion of said belt and supporting the same; means carried by said frame for laterally confining said belt thereon; a plurality of laterally resilientJ supports for said frame adapted to guide it in substantially horizontal vibrations transverse to the belt: an unbalanced weight rotatably mounted on said frame; and means for rotating said weight.

i. ln a vanner, the combination of stationarily supported rotatable head and foot rolls; a vanning belt running thereon and having a. longitudinally inclined working portion extending between said rolls; means for driving said belt at a suitable rate; a vibrator mechanism engaging said belt between said rolls and adapted to impart to said belt a tremulous lineal vibration substantially parallel to the axes of said rolls; and means for feeding ore to said belt near the upper end of the working portion thereof.

5. ln a vanner, the combination of stationarily supported rotatable head and foot rolls; a vanning belt running thereon and having a longitudinally inclined working portion extending between said rolls; means for driving said belt at a suitable rate; a belt supporting frame provided with lateral belt-confining means and mounted beneath said belt between the head and foot rolls; guiding means for restricting said frame to vibratory movements substantially parallel to the axes of said rolls; a vibrator mechanism for imparting tremulous vibrations to said frame; and means for feeding ore to said belt near the upper end of the working portion thereof.

6. In a vanner, the combination of a fixed frame; a plurality of rolls mounted thereon and arranged to guide a vanning belt; a vanning belt running on said rolls; a secondary frame adapted to support the working portion of said belt and mounted on said fixed frame to move in a substantially horizontal direction transverse to said belt; an unbalanced rotating weight mounted on said secondary frame; a driving shaft; change speed driving connections between said shaft and one of said rolls; and change speed driving connections between said shaft and said rotating weight.

7. In a vanner the combination of fixed means for supporting and driving a belt at suitable speed; a vanning belt driven by said driving means and having an inclined working portion; a vibrator mechanism operative upon said belt and moving independently of said belt supporting and driving means for vibrating said belt in a horizontal ttransverse direction with an amplitude approximating -lg inch and adapted for frequencies approximating 750 double vibrations per minute; and means for feeding ore to said belt near the upper end of the working portion thereof.

8. In a vanner the combination of fixed means for supporting and driving a belt at suitable speed; a vanning belt driven by said driving means, and having a smooth surface the working portion of which is inclined; a vibrator mechanism operative upon said belt and moving independently of said belt supporting and driving means for vibrating said belt in a horizontal transverse direction with an amplitude approximating l-g inch and adapted for frequencies approximating 750 double vibrations per minute; and means for feeding ore to said belt near the upper end of the working portion thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT H. RICHARDS.

Witnesses RosALIND RICHARDS. ANNIE CAMERON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

